Trenton Battle Monument
348 North Warren St, Trenton, NJ
Trenton Battle Monument
Date of Battle: December 26, 1776
The Battle
Having retreated out of New York and across New Jersey, the Continentals form a defensive line on the western side of the Delaware River in Pennsylvania. Judging it too late in the season, the British do not pursue, and instead set up garrisons across New Jersey to pacify the colony.
The Continental Army under Washington begins to disintegrate as a British victory seems inevitable, and enlistments come to an end. Out of desperation, Washington launches a raid back into New Jersey on Christmas night. Three of the four crossings fail due to ice in the river, but Washington manages to cross. His small force attacks the Hessian outpost at Trenton, killing the commander Colonel Rall, and taking most of the enemy prisoners.
Visiting the Battle Monument
The Trenton Battle Monument marks the place where the American artillery was placed during the Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776.
Address: 348 North Warren Street, Trenton, New Jersey
Entrance fee: None
The monument, dedicated on October 19, 1893, features a bronze statue of General George Washington with his right arm outstretched, pointing toward the site of his victory, atop a 148-feet granite column. The base of the monument is adorned with three bronze bas-reliefs (plaques) depicting Washington's army crossing the Delaware River, the opening of the Battle of Trenton, and the surrender of the Hessians. A fourth plaque contains a memorial inscription. The original bas-reliefs, now housed in the New Jersey State Museum, have been replaced with reproductions.
Check the Trenton Battle Monument web site for information on hours of operation.
→ Have you been here? Do you have suggestions for others who are passionate about history and want to make the most of their visit, or recommendations for things nearby that every history lover should see? Please send them in and we may add them to this page.
Contributor: This list of major Revolutionary War Battles and descriptions was written by Michael Troy, the creator and host of the American Revolution Podcast, who selected these sites and described the battles.
Photo: Trenton Battle Monument by Famartin, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Editor: Creation of this trip, including additional research on visiting these historic sites by Donna Keesling, editor at The History List.
Updated April 8, 2022
List of trips to this site
- Major Battles of the Revolutionary War Worth Visiting
- Road Trip to the Major Battlegrounds of the American Revolution